English AP: The Catcher in the Rye & Watership Down

Reading Assignment

The Catcher in the Ryeby J.D. Salinger has been hailed for years as a premiere coming-of-age novel. Catcher... traces three days out of the life of Holden Caulfield. Holden has been kicked out of his prep school (again) and is to call his parents, tell them what he did, and report home 3 days before the end of the semester. Holden decides instead that he’d rather see a bit of New York City before he lands the bomb on his folks. This is the story of those three days.

Like the majority of teens out there, Holden is unsure of where he is going, what he should do, and what the purpose is to all of life. Told from Holden’s point-of-view, this novel tries to find some answers to some very difficult questions at the same time Holden searches for the answers in New York.

Watch as Holden encounters many different kinds of people. He passes judgment on most, and some quite cruelly. For in Holden’s adolescent mind, there is little room for exceptions to the rules of his expectations. As you read, keep in mind the following ideas:

***When does adolescence end and adulthood begin?

***As Holden meets different people, he adopts different parts of them into his own character. What works for him? What doesn’t work for him? Why?

***This book has been placed on the banned book list for its use of language and subject matter. Do you agree or disagree with this judgment? Why?

Please keep a reader’s journal for this book. I’d like you to write your response each day for about 10-15 minutes. Please be sure to include what chapters you are writing about! Ideas to include in addition to the prompt given for the day: What made the biggest impact on you today? Why? Other questions to think about and incorporate into your response: What were you thinking as you read the day’s passage? Did you like what Holden did? Why or why not? Did you agree with his assessments of people? What would you have done in his place? Obviously, there are many others. I really would like you to experiment and learn something not only from reading this book, but perhaps learn something about yourself from writing about it. (A word on length of reader responses: which response will be better received: a 2-3 sentence response or a response that is 2-3 paragraphs? Do I have to spell it out more clearly than that?)

This novel is a perennial favorite of students and teachers alike. I expect that you will not be so unlike any other class and will relish it as well. Enjoy!

Mrs. Gugerty

The Catcher in the Rye -- Reading & Response Assignments

Catcher in the Rye Reading & Response Assignments

Monday – Day 1 -- Read: Chap. 1-6

RR #1 --Have you ever felt like Holden does...that no matter what you do, nothing works out right? have you ever wanted to take off for a few days and “get lost” like Holden does in New York City? Why do you think people need or want to do that every now and then?

Tuesday – Day 2 -- Read: Chap. 7-12

RR #2 -- What SHOULD Holden have done? Should he have called his parents per the school’s request? Why or why not?

Wednesday – Day 3 -- Read: Chap 13-17

RR #3 -- Write a letter to Holden as if you were his friend telling him what he should do. Cover in a paragraph each of the following: school, parents, love life, his attitude, and an issue of your choice. Your letter should be 5 paragraphs long when you are done.

Thursday – Day 4 -- Read: Chap. 18-22

RR #4 -- Holden’s date with Sally goes very wrong. In your opinion, why is that? What should/could have been done to save it?

Friday – Day 5 -- Read: Finish book

RR #5 -- Respond to the letter you wrote to Holden for Wednesday. Write as if you were Holden. What do you think of this advice? What do you think of this person giving you advice? Use Holden’s style to respond.

Themes for Discussion –

Be prepared to discuss the following themes and others that may arise.